2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3
Released on unsuspecting Subaru Impreza WRXs and Volkswagen GTIs for the 2007 model year, the scintillating Mazdaspeed 3 took precisely 5.9 seconds to become one of our favorite hot hatches. For 2010, a new 'Speed hones its manners with revised steering, a stiffened suspension, and fatter Dunlop SP Sport tires. Of course, the car sports a completely new look, one that is decidedly more pugnacious than the standard-issue hatchback and sedan, which are already on sale. The hood-mounted intercooler scoop is functional, but the 2.3-liter four beneath it carries over unchanged; turbocharged to the tune of 263 hp, it still drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. The transmission itself benefits from slightly taller gearing on cogs two through five, a tweak intended to make delivery of the engine's 280 lb-ft of torque a bit more linear. Top speed remains an electronically governed 155 mph. The 2010 MS3 is set to hit dealer showrooms by summer's end. ...next page >>